Kenan Thompson will join the Martin Short/Maya Rudolph variety series “Maya and Marty in Manhattan” at NBC, TheWrap has learned.
Thompson, who has been a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” for 13 seasons, will star on the show that will be aired live each week from NBC’s headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York.
“With their cumulative expertise and experience in live comedy, we couldn’t ask for a better trio to deliver what we know will be a fantastic show,” Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment, said. “Their respective accomplishments on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and beyond are extraordinary.”
The series will feature sketches that spoof current events, celebrities and topical trends, as well as musical performances. Among comedy circles, Rudolph and Short are considered two of the best sketch performers in the business.
Rudolph was a cast member of “SNL” for eight seasons (2000-07). On the film side, the actress appeared in “Bridesmaids,” which received two Oscar nominations, “Away We Go,” “The Way Way Back” and “Grown Ups.” She co-stars in the upcoming film “Mr. Pig,” which just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and lends her voice to the animated film “The Angry Birds Movie.”
Short is both a two-time Emmy and Tony Award winner (leading actor in a musical for the Broadway revival of “Little Me”) and one of the most beloved actor-comedians of his generation.
He first gained prominence as a writer and performer on the legendary Canadian skit-comedy series “SCTV” before moving on to “SNL” for the 1984-85 season. Short’s TV resume is filled with memorable comedic roles and on the big screen, Short has co-starred in such memorable comedies as the “Father of the Bride” franchise and “Three Amigos.”
“Maya and Marty in Manhattan” will be executive produced by Lorne Michaels. Matt Roberts, Erin David, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz, Sandy Wernick and John Lieberman will produce along with Rudolph and Short.
“Maya and Marty in Manhattan” will premiere May 31 at 10 p.m., immediately following the two-hour premiere of “America’s Got Talent.”